Lady Gaga Releases “Born This Way”

Well, it's finally here! This morning, Lady Gaga released her ridiculously anticipated new single, "Born This Way," and, as expected, it's a slice of dance-pop heaven with an uber-empowering message.

Gaga, who’s appointed herself the spokesperson for all the freaks and little monsters out there, has penned the “Black or White” for her generation. With lyrics like, “Don’t be a drag, just be a queen/Whether you’re broke or evergreen/You’re black, white, beige, chola descent/You’re lebanese, you’re orient/Whether life’s disabilities/Left you outcast, bullied, or teased/Rejoice and love yourself today/’Cause baby you were born this way,” “Born This Way” more than a great club beat.

Less predictably, the song sounds more like a step back for Gaga, who’s spent most of her career so far breaking boundaries and pushing her music to the next level. “Born This Way” channels Madonna’s famous anthem “Express Yourself” and, no joke, we even hear a little bit of TLC’s “Chasing Waterfalls” in there.

Either way, the song reached number one on the iTunes charts in under three hours, which can only bode well for Gaga’s upcoming album, due in May. What do you think of her new single?